Touch control electronic cigarette

ABSTRACT

A touch control electronic cigarette comprises a casing containing a fragrance; a cigarette filter arranged at the rear end of the casing; a smoke generator arranged inside the casing and atomizing the fragrance into gas; a capacitive sensor module arranged inside the cigarette filter, and generating capacitance variation functioning as a triggering signal while the user is touching the cigarette filter; and a control chip arranged inside the casing, controlling the smoke generator according to the triggering signal to atomize the fragrance into gas, which is to be inhaled by the user, and stopping controlling the smoke generator to atomize the fragrance while the user does not touch the cigarette filter. The present invention is not turned on by push button but triggered by lips of the user lest the user turn on the electronic cigarette imprudently. Besides, the present invention conforms to the usage habit of users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette, particularly to a touch control electronic cigarette.

2. Description of the Related Art

Advance of science and technology has pushed many traditional products into electronic products, not only improving drawbacks and enhancing performance of the products (such as digital cameras and digital musical devices) but also conveniencing usage and reducing pollution of the products (such as automobiles and power supply systems).

As early as in 2000, a Chinese has invented an electronic cigarette, wherein nicotine is diluted with propylene glycol to form a solution; the solution is atomized into gas with an ultrasonic device; the gas is inhaled by the user to his lung and then transmitted to the blood vessels. The electronic cigarette has obtained the patent in 2004. With the flourishing of anti-cigarette movements, electronic cigarettes have been spread to and popularized in other countries now.

The current electronic cigarettes are all turned on manually. While the user needs to smoke, he turns on the electronic cigarette with his hand. While the user does not continue using the electronic cigarette, he should turn off the electronic cigarette. However, it is probable that the user forgets turning off the electronic cigarette. Thus, the electronic cigarette is turned on for a long time, persistently atomizing nicotine and consuming electricity. Finally, the service life of the electronic cigarette is shortened. Therefore, the current electronic cigarettes are neither economical nor convenient. Besides, the current electronic cigarettes do not conform to the usage habit of users.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes a touch control electronic cigarette to overcome the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a touch control electronic cigarette, which is not turned on by push button but triggered by the lips of the user, whereby to prevent the user from imprudently turning on the electronic cigarette, wherefore the present invention conforms to the usage habit of users and exempts users from turning on the electronic cigarette manually.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a touch control electronic cigarette featuring simple structure, low fabrication cost and high fabrication efficiency.

To achieve the abovementioned objectives, the present invention proposes a touch control electronic cigarette, which comprises a casing containing a fragrance; a cigarette filter (in fact, it is a region simulating the cigarette filter of a real cigarette) arranged at the rear end of the casing; a smoke generator arranged inside the casing and at the front end of the cigarette filter, and atomizing the fragrance into gas; a capacitive sensor module arranged inside the cigarette filter; a control chip arranged inside the casing and electrically connected with the smoke generator and the capacitive sensor module. While the cigarette filter is touched, the capacitive sensor module generates capacitance variation functioning as a triggering signal. The triggering signal is transmitted to the control chip. According to the triggering signal, the control chip controls the smoke generator to atomize the fragrance into gas, which is to be inhaled into the mouth by the user.

Below, embodiments are described in detail in cooperation with drawings to make easily understood the technical contents, characteristics and accomplishments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a touch control electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the interior of a touch control electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the system of a touch control electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the usage of a touch control electronic cigarette according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Refer to FIGS. 1-3. The touch control electronic cigarette 1 of the present invention comprises a casing 10, a cigarette filter 12, a smoke generator 14, a capacitive sensor module 16, and a control chip 18. The casing 10 contains a fragrance 28, such as a liquid fragrance or liquid nicotine. The casing 10 has a shape of an ordinary cigarette. In one embodiment, the casing 10 has a cylindrical shape. The cigarette filter 12 is arranged at the rear end of the casing 10. The smoke generator 14 is arranged inside the casing 10 and atomizes the fragrance 28 into gas. The capacitive sensor module 16 is arranged inside the cigarette filter 12. The cigarette filter 12 has a touch control face, which is to be touched by the user and protects the circuit of the capacitive sensor module 16. While the touch control face of the cigarette filter 12 is touched by the user, the capacitive sensor module 16 generates capacitance variation functioning as a triggering signal. The triggering signal is transmitted to the control chip 18. The control chip 18 is arranged inside the casing 10 and electrically connected with the smoke generator 14 and the capacitive sensor module 16. According to the triggering signal, the control chip 18 controls the smoke generator 14 to atomize the fragrance 28 into gas, which is to be inhaled into the mouth by the user. If the lips of the user leave the cigarette filter 12, the capacitive sensor module 16 stops generating capacitance variation. Thus, the control chip 18 receives none triggering signal and stops controlling the smoke generator 14 to generate smoke. In one embodiment, the touch control electronic cigarette 1 further comprises a protection sleeve 26. While the user does not use the touch control electronic cigarette 1, he may put the protection sleeve 16 on the cigarette filter 12 lest the capacitive sensor module 16 be touched imprudently and the touch control electronic cigarette 1 be turned on unintentionally. Further, the protection sleeve 16 can prevent the cigarette filter 12 from contamination and keep the cigarette filter 12 clean.

In one embodiment, the touch control electronic cigarette 1 further comprises a light emitting element 20. In one embodiment, the light emitting element 20 is a light emitting diode (LED). The light emitting element 20 is electrically connected with and controlled by the control chip 18. According to whether there is a triggering signal, the control chip 18 turns on or off the light emitting element 20. While receiving a triggering signal from the capacitive sensor module 16, the control chip 18 turns on the light emitting element 20. While not receiving a triggering signal from the capacitive sensor module 16, the control chip 18 turns off the light emitting element 20. Therefore, while the lips of the user touches the cigarette filter 12 and makes the capacitive sensor module 16 generate capacitance variation, the light emitting element 20 is lighted up; while the lips of the user leaves the cigarette filter 12, the capacitive sensor module 16 does not generate capacitance variation, and the light emitting element 20 is turned off. Thus, while the user uses the touch control electronic cigarette 1, the light emitting element 20 will light up intermittently, simulating the situation of smoking.

In one embodiment, the touch control electronic cigarette 1 further comprises an energy storage element 22 arranged inside the casing 10. The energy storage element 22 may be a battery or a rechargeable battery. The energy storage element 22 is electrically connected with the control chip 18 and supplies power to the control chip 18, the smoke generator 14, the capacitive sensor module 16 and the light emitting element 20. In one embodiment, the energy storage element 22 is also electrically connected with a charging socket 24, which is exposed to the exterior of the casing 10. While intending to charge the energy storage element 22, the user electrically connects the charging socket 24 to a commercial power source.

Refer to FIG. 4. While the user uses the touch control electronic cigarette 1, the lips of the user touch the cigarette filter 12 and make the capacitive sensor module 16 generate capacitance variation functioning as a triggering signal. The triggering signal is transmitted to the control chip 18. According to the triggering signal, the control chip 18 controls the smoke generator 14 to atomize a liquid fragrance. In one embodiment, the liquid fragrance contains liquid nicotine. The user then inhales the atomized liquid nicotine. While the lips of the user leave the cigarette filter 12, the capacitive sensor module 16 neither generates capacitance variation nor transmits a triggering signal to the control chip 18. Thus, the control chip 18 stops controlling the smoke generator 14 to generate smoke lest the touch control electronic cigarette 1 continue generating smoke and consuming fragrance and electricity. Thus, merely via touching the cigarette filter 12 with his lips, the user can make the capacitive sensor module 16 generate capacitance variation and turn on the touch control electronic cigarette 1 without using his hand to operate the switch of the electronic cigarette. Therefore, the present invention pretty conforms to the usage habit of users.

In conclusion, the present invention proposes a touch control electronic cigarette, which is characterized in that the user needn't operate the switch of the touch control electronic cigarette with his hand but can turn on the touch control electronic cigarette merely via touching it with his lips, and which features simple structure, low fabrication cost and high fabrication efficiency.

The embodiments described above are only to exemplify the present invention but not to limit the scope of the present invention. Any equivalent modification or variation according to the spirit of the present invention is to be also included within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch control electronic cigarette comprising a casing containing a fragrance; a cigarette filter arranged at a rear end of said casing; a smoke generator arranged inside said casing and atomizing said fragrance into gas; a capacitive sensor module arranged inside said cigarette filter, and generating capacitance variation functioning as a triggering signal while a user is touching said cigarette filter; and a control chip arranged inside said casing, electrically connected with said smoke generator and said capacitive sensor module, controlling said smoke generator according to said triggering signal to atomize said fragrance into gas, which is to be inhaled by said user.
 2. The touch control electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein said casing has a cylindrical shape.
 3. The touch control electronic cigarette according to claim 1 further comprising a light emitting element, which is arranged at a front end of said casing, electrically connected with said control chip, and controlled by said control chip to emit light according to said triggering signal.
 4. The touch control electronic cigarette according to claim 3, wherein said light emitting element is a light emitting diode (LED).
 5. The touch control electronic cigarette according to claim 3 further comprising an energy storage element, which is arranged inside said casing and electrically connected with said control chip to supply power to said control chip, said smoke generator, said capacitive sensor module, and said light emitting element.
 6. The touch control electronic cigarette according to claim 5 further comprising a charging socket, which is electrically connected with said energy storage element, and which is able to be electrically connected with a commercial power source to charge said energy storage element.
 7. The touch control electronic cigarette according to claim 5, wherein said energy storage element is a battery or a rechargeable battery.
 8. The touch control electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein said fragrance is a liquid fragrance.
 9. The touch control electronic cigarette according to claim 1 further comprising a protection sleeve for sleeving said cigarette filter. 